THE MUSIC STORE – A BRIEF HISTORY

The initial idea for what was to become “The Music Store” was formulated one evening in the Autumn of 2012, when two long standing friends met up for a regular Friday evening get together after work in their local pub, at the end of what (for one of them) had been an extremely trying week, managing his then Musical Instrument distribution business.

Frustrated by the diminishing number of MI retail outlets in the UK following the recession, the opportunity arose to reach music-loving consumers directly. Whether they played an instrument or not, customers could experience a wonderful ambience, purchase unique musically themed gifts and officially licensed band merchandise, with most importantly friendly knowledgeable and unrivalled customer service, the seed was sown for what just 12 months later would become “The Music Store – For Everyone Who Loves Music”.

The first store opened on Saturday 28th September 2013, in one of Europe’s biggest and busiest shopping centers’ at The Trafford Centre in Manchester. Pleasingly the new concept, which initially offered a “Fender” Lifestyle Centre with one of the biggest ranges of Fender guitars, Fender accessories, clothing and collectibles in the UK, together with a vast rage of unique music and entertainment themed gifts and merchandise, was a big hit with consumers in the run up to Christmas that year. After developing and perfecting the “Music Store” brand further in 2014, the second “Music Store” opened in The Potteries Shopping Centre in Hanley, Stoke on Trent in July 2014, quickly followed by a third store at the Intu Shopping Centre in Derby in November of that same year.

By now “The Music Store” brand and its’ unique retail offering was proving extremely popular with consumers of all generations, whether they were aspiring, or established music makers, or simply like minded people with a passion for music and their favorite artists and bands. This was recognised when we were nominated and highly commended in the prestigious ‘Sceptre National Shopping Centre Awards’ as one of the best new unique independent retail operations in the UK in June 2015. In addition to this, the resurgence in the sales of Vinyl records saw “The Music Store” at the forefront of the phenomenon, as the “go to” place for the biggest selection of vinyl record players and accessories anywhere, and in July 2015 the fourth “Music Store” opened at The Merry Hill Shopping Centre in Dudley West Midlands. With a growing customer base all over the country “The Music Store” has pleasingly been inundated with requests for the opportunity to purchase the products and gifts that customers have come to love, online from the convenience of their own homes, or on the go with their mobile devices. In November 2015 this became a reality with the launch of “The Music Store” online.

There was good reasoning as to why it has taken 2 years to launch the online side of “The Music Store” business. In the main it’s because our customers come first, and it’s your support and feedback over the first two years that have enabled us to develop our brand and it’s unique range of exciting products so that they can now be offered exclusively together with the same unrivalled customer service and value that you will find in all of our stores.

In 2016 and beyond we hope to continue this exciting musical journey by opening more stores and expanding our online offering even further and we sincerely appreciate your support and the opportunity to share with you our vision and passion for music, people and great customer service!